Built a camera mount.. but I need the screws

[Jaedon]

Hey all,

I just finished my own frakenstein version of a Clamp Pod.

Basically I have an old wooden C- Clamp and I have 2 spots on it measured out for where I will be mounting the ball head from my monopod. This design is to facilitate the mounting of the camera to the basket on a hot air baloon in a few weeks while vacationing in Florida. I needed something bigger than commercailly available since the diameter of the basket is a bit over 4 inches and the largest "clamp-pods" I could find were 2 1/4 inches.

So no that I have the design I am looking for the screws to mount the ball head on to. I hav ebeen through the fastener section at Home Depot and I cannot find a screw or bolt with the same threading as teh 3/4 thread that is standard on cameras.

Does anyone have any idea where else I could look? I asked the people atmy local camera shop on the phone and they were of no help. A friend of mine works for for a major video and camera rental company in the rentals department and he hasn't been able to locate them through his sources so I turn to my fellow photographers to help me resolve my search.

[another view]

I cannot find a screw or bolt with the same threading as teh 3/4 thread that is standard on cameras.

Actually standard on a camera is 1/4-20. That's 1/4" thread, 20 threads per inch. It's a very common size and most any hardware store should have plenty of options. Be careful not to screw the camera in too far - you don't want it punching out the bottom of the mount.

[Jaedon]

Thans AV.

Now if only someone at Home Depot would've known that it might have saved me some time and leg work lol. The guy there tried to be helpful but ..... never ask a plumber a hardware question.

[mjs1973]

Are you trying to find a screw to mount the ball head to the clamp, or one to mount the camera to the ball head?

[another view]

Are you trying to find a screw to mount the ball head to the clamp, or one to mount the camera to the ball head?

Good question - I read it as connecting to the bottom of the camera which is 1/4-20, but most tripod heads attach to tripod leg sets with a 3/8-16 thread.

[Jaedon]

I am going to mount the ball head to the clamp to give me more manouverability with the camera. I am off to Homer Depot again now to find the screw. When it's all finished I will post pics of it for you to see. It's a pretty basic idea but I needed a larger size than was commercially available..and I am too cheap to shell out $50 - $75 for something I can build out of stuff I had lying around anyway =)

[another view]

I am going to mount the ball head to the clamp

Sounds like you'll need the 3/8-16 but bring the ball head to be sure. Most larger tripod heads need the 3/8-16 screw to mount (the 1/4-20 mounts to the camera) but some small heads use 1/4-20 on both sides.

[Jaedon]

the screw on teh monopod fits into both the camera mount and the bottom of the ball head so am I to assume that the screw is then the 1/4 20? I am heading out now with the ball head in hand to make sure. A friend of mine down teh street has a screw collection that he says will make Home Depot jealous lol... gonna test his theory now.

[another view]

am I to assume that the screw is then the 1/4 20?

99.99% sure on that. Probably more...

[Jaedon]

well my original idea wouldn't work .. I forgot that theold wooden c clamps have those large protrudinghandles which always get in teh way. Fortunately for me a friend of my buddy was visiting and he is a metal fabricator. So when I told him of my dilemma he offered to make me something that will suit my needs form some scrap he had sitting around his shop. I will be picking it up today hopefully and we'll see how well he does his job.

[mjs1973]

I hope this project works out for you. Be sure to post some pics of the finished product when you get it, and of course some pics once you get it up in the baloon.

[freygr]

The threads for the tripod to camera are 1/4 inch 20 thread per inch. It also can be the 5/16 inch NC or 3/8 inch NC, (sorry I don't have the screw table with me) these where used with view cameras. The thread for the head could be any of the three sizes. Just go to a Hardware Store (a real one not Home Depot or like), and they should be able to match up the threads even if it's metric.